maybe who we were then is shattered, but who we are in the end is what matters
Vai's soft words and the word mama are a balm she didn't know she needed. The sunlight through the windows and the smell of herbs in a garden beyond rouse her to full awareness. It's not the place she envisioned giving birth, but it's beautiful nonetheless.
"Okay. Okay," she mutters in repeat under her breath, skin pebbling as Vai draws the blankets up. Remi's hand is in her own, the air is cool, her skin is hot. Everything is narrowed to sensation, and her pulse hammers a chorus of it's time, it's time, it's time. "I'm ready." She absolutely isn't, but she hasn't been for any of her births.
Her head lists sideways for a moment as the cloth is placed upon her forehead, taking strength in seeing the Lullaby at her side. Remi's hand in hers is squeezed, and then tightens until her knuckles bleed white as the next contraction comes, a high noise of pain leaving her as she pushes with all her might. Blunt teeth bleed color from her lips as she bites them to hold in any cursing. As the time passes wetness gathers on her lashes and sweat on her skin, breaths stuttering and straining in her chest. And then the first crowns, and anything Vai might say is drowned in the hammering heartbeat in her ears.
But the cry - that, she hears clearly.
"Okay. Okay," she mutters in repeat under her breath, skin pebbling as Vai draws the blankets up. Remi's hand is in her own, the air is cool, her skin is hot. Everything is narrowed to sensation, and her pulse hammers a chorus of it's time, it's time, it's time. "I'm ready." She absolutely isn't, but she hasn't been for any of her births.
Her head lists sideways for a moment as the cloth is placed upon her forehead, taking strength in seeing the Lullaby at her side. Remi's hand in hers is squeezed, and then tightens until her knuckles bleed white as the next contraction comes, a high noise of pain leaving her as she pushes with all her might. Blunt teeth bleed color from her lips as she bites them to hold in any cursing. As the time passes wetness gathers on her lashes and sweat on her skin, breaths stuttering and straining in her chest. And then the first crowns, and anything Vai might say is drowned in the hammering heartbeat in her ears.
But the cry - that, she hears clearly.
